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As winter continues in earnest, it is a good time to remind parents and community members about District 27's protocol on school closings.

The guidelines below refer to school closings due to heavy snow and severe cold. Please visit our District Protocols page for detailed information.

School may be cancelled due to weather conditions or other emergency conditions that made the operation of school facilities unsafe. In extreme conditions or due to large-scale damage, the superintendent may close all buildings and cancel all events. General guidelines:

School may be cancelled for all District 27 school facilities or for an individual facility as necessary.

All after-school activities and field trips will be cancelled unless specifically announced by the school principal.

All student events will be cancelled unless specifically announced by the school principal.

Athletic events and practices will be cancelled unless specifically announced by the school principal.

Heavy Snow – School Will Be Closed

If we have heavy snow that creates conditions where the safety of students and staff is at risk, travel is prohibitive, or buildings cannot be prepared for a regular school day, school will be closed. Parents will be notified by all communication methods previously identified.

Unlike cold, it is more challenging to determine if the conditions will result in a closure due to snow. More often than not parents should expect notification of a school closure due to snow in the morning.

Severe Cold – Two Possible Outcomes

1. Wind-Chill Warning – Schools Will Be Closed:

Schools will be closed under the condition of a Wind-chill warning. A wind-chill warning indicates that life-threatening conditions and a risk to safety exist. Measures should be taken to safeguard life and property immediately. A Wind-chill warning is typically issued when the wind-chill will be -30 degrees Fahrenheit or colder and the winds are greater than or equal to 10 mph OR the actual temperature is -15° F.

General Range – Wind-chills -30°F or lower and wind speeds 10 mph or greater or Actual temperature -15°F or lower

Classes will be cancelled and school closure protocols will be instituted.

All notification systems will be leveraged to send school cancellation communications to families.

Extracurricular activities will be cancelled.

2. Wind-Chill Advisory – Schools Will Be Open:

A Wind-chill advisory is issued when conditions do not meet the wind-chill warning criteria but still cause significant inconvenience. The weather during a wind-chill advisory is not life threatening but presents conditions that may result in inconvenience or pose moderate risk to safety. A wind-chill advisory is typically issued when the wind chill is -20 degrees Fahrenheit or colder AND the winds are greater to OR equal to 10 mph.

General Range – Wind-chills -20°F to -29°F and wind speeds 10 mph or greater or Actual temperature -5°F to -14°F

Schools will be open and student attendance is expected.

Fire and Police will be notified prior to the start of these school days.

Extracurricular activities will be evaluated and may be suspended if conditions persist.

All outside student activities will be suspended.

Family Situation

Whenever a decision is made to cancel school or alter the school day, it is based on the general safety conditions for all students and staff. The District recognizes that conditions may vary for each individual student or family. As mentioned above, if you feel that it is unsafe to send your student to school, please contact the school attendance office and the student will be given an excused absence.